Report on the “JPO/IPR Training Course on Patent Examination Standards”

The JPO/IPR Training "Patent Examination Standards Course" was held for one week from January 8 to 15. This is a new course established this year, designed to help participants learn about the concepts and actual standards for examination in each other's countries, recognize weaknesses in their own countries, and review and enhance their country's system after returning home. The participants of the course included, preferably, those who are already engaged in, or might engage in, revising examination standards. In addition, persons who were keen to learn about the revision of examination standards were also accepted. As a result, twelve participants were invited to the course, two participants from each of six countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam).

Before coming to Japan, each participant was instructed to prepare and submit a report on the examination standards in their country focused on inventive step, including three case studies based on the examination standards of their country. This process helped the participants prepare to increase their understanding in the various classes they attended in Japan.

On the first day of the course, the participants received an orientation session, then the classes started. Instructors from the JPO gave classes on the revision of examination standards in Japan. In particular, participants from the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, where revisions are in progress, could leverage what they learned in these classes after returning home. Other participants also listened to the classes with considerable interest.

Presentation by a participant from Indonesia

On January 12, Instructor Sugiura gave a class in the morning on differences between Japan and the participants' countries related to novelty and inventive step. The participants gave presentations on examination standards in their own countries. In the afternoon, a group discussion was held on Case Study 1, with a focus on differences in the assignments.

Class scene 1

In the class by Instructor Okada on January 13, there was a group discussion on Case Study 2, focusing on rationalization and design change. It was found that there were four different types of judgment standards concerning inventive step in this group.

Class scene 2

In the class by Instructor Tsukanaka on January 14, there was a group discussion on Case Study 3, focusing on differences in effects.

On the morning of the final day, a wrap-up discussion was held in the class by Instructor Teshima. The participants gave presentations on differences in examination standards between their own countries and Japan, and the points they wanted to tackle after returning home. The participants commented that they were glad to have learned much that they could use for revising examination standards back in their countries.

Subsequently, a completion ceremony was held, at which a certificate of completion was handed to each participant, and a participant from the Philippines gave a speech of thanks.

Speech by a participant from the Philippines

All participants of this course were highly motivated and worked hard. They actively took part in the exercises and Q&A. Some participants reviewed and re-submitted the presentation materials they had prepared. The pre-course assignments were all submitted before the participants visited Japan, even though it was a busy time of year. While staying in Japan, on weekdays the participants only went to APIC and came back to HIDA to work on their assignments. However, the participants said they visited Tokyo and the surroundings on the three-day holiday immediately after they arrived in Japan. The group that visited Mt. Fuji was delighted to encounter snow for the first time. Because this course consisted of only a small number of participants from Asian countries in similar positions, the group was highly relaxed and hopefully will stay in touch with each other after returning home.